Lac des Perches

Lac des Perches is a small glacial lake sitting at 984 metres above sea level in the commune of Rimbach-près-Masevaux, in the Haut-Rhin department, on the Alsatian side of the Vosges mountains. Locally it is also known as the Sternsee, a German name reflecting the bilingual heritage of this border region. Covering only 0.044 km², the lake rests at the bottom of a steep glacial cirque, ringed by rocky slopes — a wild, secluded setting quite different from the more accessible lakes elsewhere in the Vosges.

Where exactly is the lake?

Lac des Perches lies in the upper part of the Rimbach-près-Masevaux commune, high above the Doller valley. Its coordinates, 47.8464, 6.9228, place it among forests and mountain pastures typical of the Alsatian Vosges — closer to the ridgeline than to any valley floor, well away from settled areas.

How do you get there?

No road reaches the lake — the only way in is on foot, starting from the upper end of the village of Rimbach-près-Masevaux. The trail climbs through the Riesenwald forest, marked with a blue triangle, before reaching the Col des Perches. From the pass, hikers can pick up a GR trail, marked with a red rectangle, that circles the lake itself. Along the way, the route also passes two smaller bodies of water, the Petit and Grand Neuweiher, making it possible to combine the walk into a loop covering all three lakes of the Masevaux area. The outing is measured in hours rather than minutes: it is a steep, demanding climb suited to hikers in good shape who are used to mountain trails.

What will you see at the lake and around it?

The lake itself has a raw, intimate character — a small sheet of water enclosed by the steep walls of its cirque, far from the busier tourist spots of the region. It is worth continuing up to the Tête des Perches summit, which opens onto a view of the lake, the Masevaux valley, the Rossberg massif and the Grand Ballon, the highest peak in the Vosges. On a clear day, the outline of the Alps can even be made out on the horizon. That contrast — a tiny, hidden lake set beneath a sweeping panorama — is the main reason to make the climb.

When is the best time to visit?

Given the altitude, close to 1,000 metres, and the nature of the trail, the best window for hiking runs from late spring through summer into early autumn, when paths are dry and free of snow. In winter and early spring, the route can turn difficult or hazardous, with ice and lingering snow on the steeper sections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you drive to Lac des Perches? No. The lake sits in mountain terrain with no road access — the only way to reach it is on foot, via the trail from Rimbach-près-Masevaux.

How long does the hike to the lake take? It is an outing of several hours, depending on the route chosen and whether it is combined with the loop past the Neuweiher lakes.

Can you swim in the lake? Given its small surface area, altitude and cirque setting, the lake mainly serves as a scenic highlight on the trail rather than a swimming spot.

What is the German name for the lake? Sternsee — used interchangeably with the French Lac des Perches, reflecting Alsace's bilingual regional tradition.